by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 17, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona residents could collectively lose millions of dollars to fake gambling websites this fall, according to a new study analyzing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) scam reports. The report, conducted by online gaming marketplace Chicks Gold, found that Arizona consumers reported $7.9 million in losses between April and June of this year from scams linked to fake gambling and gaming sites. Analysts warn those numbers could rise sharply as the NFL season, the most bet-on sport in the United States, fuels a wave of online wagering.
“Scammers know there’s likely to be a surge in inexperienced bettors searching online for wagering platforms,” said Al Alof, CEO of Chicks Gold and spokesperson for the study. “That makes them especially vulnerable to fake sportsbooks or offers that appear too good to be true.”
The study examined scams across five FTC subcategories connected to fraudulent gambling platforms: malware and exploits, online shopping, tech support, social networking, and prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries. Nationally, 106,531 reports were filed in Q2, totaling nearly $192 million in losses, or an average of $1,965 per report. Arizona’s losses were significantly higher: 2,830 reports led to nearly $7.95 million stolen, averaging $2,811 per report—43% higher than the national average.
The most damaging category for Arizona residents was prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries, which accounted for $4.1 million lost across just 408 reports, averaging more than $10,000 per incident. That placed Arizona sixth in the nation for per-report losses linked to these types of scams, behind Montana, Maine, South Dakota, Wyoming, and North Dakota.
According to the study, fraudulent gambling and gaming operations exploit consumers in several ways:
- Malware and exploits: Fake casino sites that prompt users to download spyware disguised as “mods” or “cheat tools.”
- Online shopping scams: Fake sites selling in-game items, currency, or memberships that never arrive.
- Tech support fraud: Pop-ups or sham help desks convincing players to share sensitive information.
- Social networking scams: Fake or hijacked profiles distributing phishing links in gaming communities.
- Prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries: Lures promising jackpots or loot boxes that require upfront payment or personal data.
“These scams thrive on community and urgency,” Alof said. “Gamers searching for new releases or fans eager to place bets can be tricked into handing over money or sensitive information.” The rise in gambling scams has also been noted by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which reports that complaints about online gambling platforms more than doubled since 2023. Users described problems ranging from malfunctioning slot games and altered wagers to deceptive ads and phishing attempts.
To protect themselves, Alof urged consumers to:
- Verify licensing and URLs: Legitimate sportsbooks are licensed by state regulators. Misspelled domains or unofficial app stores are red flags.
- Avoid unrealistic offers: “Guaranteed wins” or oversized bonuses are often bait for scams.
- Use secure payments: Credit cards or PayPal provide better protection than wire transfers or gift cards. Enabling two-factor authentication also reduces risk.
Analysts caution that both sports bettors and traditional gamers face exposure. Beyond the NFL betting surge, Alof noted that the release of popular video games creates another avenue for fraud. When legitimate gaming sites crash under demand, players may turn to unverified download links, which scammers exploit. With Arizona already posting losses above the national average, experts warn vigilance will be crucial in the months ahead.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 16, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
According to a new report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI), inflation in the Phoenix metro area rose 1.4% year-over-year in August, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The increase marks a climb from June’s 0.8% reading and ends a four-month stretch where local inflation hovered below 1%.
As noted by the report, the uptick comes as Arizona’s economy shows signs of slowing, with weaker job growth and a cooling housing market. Still, compared with much of the nation, inflation in Phoenix remains subdued. Among the 23 metro areas tracked monthly, Phoenix ranked 20th in year-over-year price growth, continuing a dramatic reversal from 2022 and 2023, when the region routinely topped the list for fastest-rising prices.
Nationally, inflation picked up in August, rising 2.9% from a year earlier after holding steady at 2.7% in the prior two months. Prices across the country have now exceeded the Federal Reserve’s 2% target for more than two years.
Since August 2019, consumer prices in Phoenix have climbed 30.2%, adding about $1,525 in monthly costs for the average Arizona household. Nationally, prices are up 26.3% over the same period. Typically, inflation would run closer to 10% in a five-year span. On a two-month basis, Phoenix saw a 0.9% increase from June to August, tying January for the largest short-term jump of the year. Nationally, prices rose 0.6% over that period.
Housing costs remain a key driver of Phoenix’s relatively low inflation reading. Shelter prices fell 0.1% year-over-year in August, the fourth consecutive month of negative growth. Excluding shelter, inflation in the Valley was 2.3%—still below the national average, but nearly double the headline local figure. The Federal Reserve, which aims to balance price stability with job growth, faces a complicated outlook. While local inflation has hovered below target for nearly a year, national prices have not fallen under 2.3% since 2021.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Sep 15, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona homeowners and prospective buyers are experiencing a cooling housing market, with the state ranking third lowest in the nation for house price growth in the first half of 2025, according to a new study by Portland Real Estate.
Median home prices in Arizona rose by just 3% from $481,388 in January to $497,500 in June, placing the state’s housing costs just 9% above the national average of $457,183.
The study, which analyzed home sale data from Realtor.com across all 50 U.S. states, highlighted a significant shift in the national housing landscape.
While states like Michigan (22% increase) and Ohio (18% increase) led the nation in price growth, Arizona’s modest 3% rise ties with Utah, Delaware, and Mississippi for the third-lowest growth.
Only Florida (1%) and Hawaii (-5%) saw smaller changes in home values.
“This represents a significant shift from the pandemic and post-pandemic years, when states like Florida, Arizona, and Utah dominated price growth charts,” said a Portland Real Estate spokesperson. “What we’re seeing now is likely the result of affordability concerns driving buyers to previously overlooked markets where housing remains relatively affordable despite recent increases.”
Nationally, the study reveals Michigan, Ohio, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Virginia are the top-ranked states, accounting for over 40% of all prices increases nationwide.
For Arizona residents, this slower growth could signal a more stable market, offering relief to first-time home buyers and those looking to upgrade. Despite the modest increase, Arizona’s median home price remains above the national average, but the cooling trend could mean potential stabilization after years of rapid appreciation.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 7, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Hadrian, a fast-growing advanced manufacturing company specializing in AI-powered production, recently announced it has raised $260 million in fresh capital and will significantly expand its operations in California and Arizona. The move comes as the U.S. defense sector seeks to bolster domestic industrial capacity amid heightened global competition.
The latest funding round, a Series C led by Founders Fund and Lux Capital with additional financing arranged by Morgan Stanley, will finance new facilities, expanded research and development capabilities, and dedicated production for naval defense. In total, Hadrian plans to add nearly five football fields’ worth of manufacturing space.
Company founder and CEO Chris Power said the investment reflects both urgency and opportunity. “America cannot afford to lose another generation of industrial capacity,” Power said. “China is making massive bets on industrial dominance. The United States needs to respond not just with policy, but with production. That’s what Hadrian is here to do.”
At the center of the announcement is Hadrian’s planned Factory 3 (F3) in Mesa. The 270,000-square-foot facility represents a $200 million investment and is expected to create 350 new jobs. The site will serve as both a large-scale production plant and a software hub, with operations slated to begin by January 2026.
Arizona officials welcomed the project as a boost to the state’s growing role in aerospace and defense. Governor Katie Hobbs called Arizona “at the heart of America’s national defense,” while Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman described the investment as proof of the city’s status as a national hub for advanced manufacturing.
“Hadrian’s presence marks a major step forward in strengthening America’s industrial base,” Freeman said.
Alongside the Mesa facility, Hadrian is preparing to establish a new 400,000-square-foot corporate and R&D headquarters to support what it described as the “rapid hiring of thousands” in the coming years.
Hadrian emphasizes speed as a key differentiator. Powered by its proprietary Opus software, the company says it can launch new factories in under six months, a pace far quicker than traditional manufacturing buildouts.
Economic development leaders in Arizona say the company’s decision reinforces the state’s attractiveness to high-tech industries. “Greater Phoenix is known internationally as a hub for innovation, and Hadrian is leveraging the region’s advantages for its transformative F3 in Mesa,” said Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
Hadrian positions itself as a cornerstone of a broader effort to restore America’s manufacturing base, with a particular focus on defense production. Its model blends automation, AI, robotics, and machine learning with traditional process engineering.
By moving critical production onshore, the company argues it can help the U.S. counter reliance on foreign suppliers while creating new jobs. “We’re building the factories that will secure American leadership in advanced manufacturing,” Power said. Hadrian expects both the Mesa site and its new headquarters to be operational by early 2026.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 3, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ09) recently shared an article from Newsweek, highlighting the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows corporations to hire student visa holders to sidestep tax liabilities, such as Medicare and Social Security. Commenting on the article, Gosar offered a scathing condemnation of the companies that benefit from this underhanded method for evading the laws governing the hiring of foreign nationals.
According to Newsweek, Anne Walsh, a partner at the San Francisco-based law firm Corporate Immigration Partners, explained the OPT program, saying, “There’s no wage obligation in the way that there is in H-1B where we’re very tied to an obligated wage.” The outlet noted that in fiscal 2024, 109,661 were enrolled by American companies, allowing the firms to take them on as students under F-1 visas, with the heaviest hitters including Amazon, the University of California, and Google as the top three.
In his post to X, Gosar wrote, “OPT incentivizes greedy businesses to fire Americans & replace them with inexpensive foreign labor by avoiding having to pay FICA and Medicare payroll taxes and other employee benefits. My bill, HR 2315, would terminate the OPT Program.”
Rep. Gosar’s bill, the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act, reintroduced in March, would terminate the OPT program entirely.
“The OPT program completely undercuts American workers, particularly higher-skilled workers and recent college graduates, by giving employers a tax incentive to hire inexpensive, foreign labor under the guise of student training. Never authorized by Congress, OPT circumvents the H-1B visa cap set by Congress by allowing over 100,000 aliens admitted into our country on student visas to continue working in the United States for another three years after completing their academic studies,” Gosar said in a statement.
He continued, “OPT incentivizes greedy businesses to fire Americans and replace them with inexpensive foreign labor by avoiding having to pay FICA and Medicare payroll taxes and other employee benefits. The OPT program completely abandons young Americans who have spent years and tens of thousands of dollars pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics only to be pushed out of those fields by cheap foreigners. Our government should not be incentivizing foreign employees over Americans. This badly flawed government program should be eliminated.”
While the bill does nothing to prevent students on F-1 visas from working in the U.S. while enrolled in a College or University, it does eliminate the program that allowed them to remain in the U.S. for three years beyond their F-1 visa, preserving jobs for highly-skilled Americans, per Gosar’s office and saving the Social Security and Medicare trust fund $4 billion annually according to Numbers USA.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 2, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ02) and the U.S. Small Business Administration announced last week that low-interest federal disaster loans are now available. The aid applies to businesses, nonprofits, and tribal nations that suffered losses from the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and Kaibab Plateau.
The SBA has since announced that a series of meetings will be held across Coconino County, with in-person mobile services available to assist with the application process.
According to a press release from Rep. Crane, “These loans are intended to cover working capital needs and operating expenses that could have been paid had the disasters not occurred.”
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is available to eligible businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. However, the administration noted it is “unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.”
The purpose of the loans, as explained by the SBA, is “for working capital needs caused by the disaster, and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.”
As of this report, the Dragon Bravo fire has burned 145,504 acres and is 64% contained. It has cut a smoldering path of destruction from the north rim of the Grand Canyon along both sides of Arizona State Route 67 reaching as far as House Rock Valley and then along the east side of the State Route for nearly another twenty miles, leaving a scar almost 16 miles wide at its widest point.
The White Sage fire burned nearly 59,000 acres and was completely contained as of August 21st after spreading in a widening eastward arc from White Sage flat through the Kaibab National Forest toward Coyote Valley.
For more information about the SBA EID loans or to apply, please click here, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
